Hanover Area budget includes tax increase

HANOVER TWP. - Hanover Area school board unanimously passed a final 2013-14 budget Thursday with a property tax increase at the level allowed by the state.

The $25 million balanced budget raises taxes 0.395 mills, which Business Manager Thomas Cipriano Jr. said would mean an additional $27.65 on a property assessed at $70,000.

The 2.4 percent increase is at the limit the state Department of Education assigned to the district.

Cipriani said the extra $270,000 the tax hike brings is "earmarked and designated exclusively to pay for the for large projected increases" in pensions through the state Public School Employees' Retirement System.

Cipriani told the board that Hanover Area has embarked on a "very comprehensive austere financial plan" that does not sacrifice educational services.

Over the past two years, the district experienced a staff reduction of about 27 faculty, administration and support staff members through attrition, and that the business office continues to investigate new non-tax revenue sources, he said.

"This has been accomplished while maintaining our educational programs, our safe and clean facilities, our food service and support programs," Cipriani said.

The budget will be available for public inspection starting Monday in the business office and on the district's Web site, www.hanoverarea.org.

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